Aidan Brooks '24 Recruiting Profile

I started in rowing at the beginning of 8th grade as part of a pre-high school recruitment program with Wilson High School (Washington DC). I had always loved being on the water and got my sailing license when I lived in Seattle. With rowing, once I got into the boat, I felt at home. I was excited to be part of the Wilson team my freshman year of high school (2020), however with Covid-19, our team activities were restricted to practices and rowing singles. My father was offered a position with the US government in Australia and we moved in December 2020. Before I even began in my new school in Canberra, I contacted the Head of Rowing to ask if I could try out for the team.  Even though the team was already mid-season, I was able to gain a spot on the team's junior (Year 9) squad, where I rowed for the rest of the Year 9 (2021) season and then as an intermediate rower for the Year 10 squad (2022 season).  By the end of my junior season, I knew my height was going to hold me back and I talked to my coaches about transitioning into a coxswain role. I competed as a coxswain for both Year 11 and Year 12 on the senior (varsity) squads throughout the 2023 and 2024 seasons.  In my final season (2024), I was invited to be a coxswain for the ACT Pathways program for the Under 19 men's squad.

I believe what sets me apart as a coxswain is that I started as a rower, so I understand the perspective of being in that rower seat. I know the feel of being in that seat and work in unison with my boat. I can see through their eyes exactly what they see and feel with every stroke. I use that insight to guide my crews to work together effectively. I watch each of my guys and know how to see when they are hitting a wall and how to motivate them to work together. I work closely with my coaches on our strategy for each practice and race to make sure each of us perform our best.